6. Transition
Final Draft, Fade In, WriterSolo, and WriterDuet: Transition
A Transition describes how one scene will transition to the next: CUT, FADE, DISSOLVE, etc.
Transitions are capitalized.
Don't use 'CUT TO:' at the end of each scene. The new scene heading tells us the previous scene is over.
If the software is generating 'CUT TO:' automatically after every scene, change this in the Settings.
For an abrupt visual change, you could use 'SMASH CUT:'
FADE IN
You can begin the screenplay with the instruction 'FADE IN:'
Because the FADE IN transition should be left-justified, format it as a Shot rather than as a Transition.
FADE OUT
The FADE OUT transition ends with a period and is formatted as a Transition.
It should only be used at the end of the script.
ALL OTHER TRANSITIONS
All other scene transitions are formatted as a Transition and end with a colon.
DISSOLVE TO:
To dissolve from the current scene to the next:
FADE TO:
Instead of using FADE OUT followed by FADE IN, you can use "FADE TO:" which covers both transitions.
CUT TO BLACK:
To cut to a black screen, use "CUT TO BLACK:"
This would then be followed by a scene heading.
FADE TO BLACK:
To fade to a black screen, use "FADE TO BLACK:"
This would then be followed by a scene heading.
MATCH CUT:
Unlike most other types of transitions that focus on the technical aspects of the transition, the MATCH CUT refers to the content of the shots on both sides of the transition: matching form, color, movement, theme, or sound between the final frame of the outgoing scene and the first frame of the incoming scene.
THE END
End the screenplay with the transition: 'FADE OUT.' followed by 'THE END' (all caps, underlined, and centered).
Revised: March 9, 2025
© 2007-2025 Ken Briscoe